New Computer:

Tue Jan 30 12:26:29 MST 2007

Okay, Does anyone out there on the cyber trail have a computer they want to 
part with? I'm on another mailing list and a guy in Sanfransico thinks I'm 
crazy for trying to keep this old box as anything except a firewall.

Gee..... you guys think that too!

He was saying how he picked up a box with 768 MB RAM and an 800 Mhz processor, 
with a 40 gig drive, for $20 at a yard sale and said if I was in his area 
he'd give it to me. (I'll post our exchange at the bottom... I think it is 
funny

I don't even need the stuff like USB ports or hard drive or floppy or CDRom. I 
can just yank them out of the old computer.

-exchange-

Sounds to me like udev isn't running on your box.

Is it even installed?

I'm running Ubuntu, another Debian derivative.  Have you tried:

dpkg -l | grep -i udev

Have you tried running Ubuntu.  Everything is just there and it works.

Russ

   To: Michael Havens <bmike1 at gmail.com> 
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   Well, I can't help you a whole lot then.  I've been following the
discussion a bit and if you've got to recompile the kernel...   well
that's ugly.  I don't know what your situation is, but have you
considered switching to Ubuntu Linux?  It's also a Debian derivative and
jpilot just works, like most everything else.

I know it's something of a tail wagging the dog kind of thing, but
Ubuntu really is complete.  I've been using one form of 'IX or another
since 1989 and I'm in love with Ubuntu.

Russ

   To: Russ Button <russ at button.com> 
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   I like the sound of that. I guess Ubuntuu shouldn't be that bad......
but really I do want to compile a kernel. I guess it is for my own
edification. If compiling a new kernel doesn't help I will do it then
PLUS I'll have my custom kernel!

   To: Michael Havens <bmike1 at gmail.com> 
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   Having a custom kernel only means that YOU have to support that kernel.
And 6 months from now when a later kernel rev comes out, if you want to
be current, you'll have to re-compile that kernel with your specific
mods, which may or may not work with that kernel.

I haven't had to compile a kernel in 15 years and I don't plan to do so
again any time soon.

Give me something that works.

Russ

   To: Russ Button <russ at button.com> 
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   I am running the 2 6 15 kernel now and the concensus seems to be that
my box cannot run such a kernel. I then ran synaptic to get a 2 4
kernel (2 4 27-2-k6) but that didn't install a properly running
kernel. So I am just biding my time until:
1- it works
2- someone takes the time to help show me how to compile it.

It seems david said he had written an extensive how to so right now I
am just waiting for a link to it
- Show quoted text -

   To: Michael Havens <bmike1 at gmail.com> 
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   Running Ubuntu 6.06 (Dapper Drake), I have the 2.6.15-27 kernel.  Unless
your box is REALLY old, I'm sure it would support that just fine.  All
it needs is a 350 Mhz processor and 128 MB RAM.  Surely you have that much.

   To: Michael Havens <bmike1 at gmail.com> 
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   Oh God!  Why do you waste your time with it then when newer stuff is
sooooooo cheap?  Isn't your time worth something?  Last year I picked up
a box with 768 MB RAM and an 800 Mhz processor, with a 40 gig drive, for
$20 at a yard sale.  I'm cleaning out the basement now and if you were
here in the San Francisco area where I live, I'd give the damn thing to
you.  Good grief!  1997?!

Machines that old can be useful, but not as desktops.  There's a special
Linux gizmo out there which exists solely on a floppy disk for the
purpose of making your machine into a firewall.  Put two NIC cards in
the box and a floppy drive, and that's all you need.   No hard drive at
all.  Of course seeing as how you can buy commercial firewall/routers
for about $25 new, why bother?!

Junk that machine man and score something a little newer at least.  I'll
betcha you could find a 500 Mhz PIII box for $50 or less if you just
look around.

Coolness,

Russ